'And there was light!' Small-scale renewable energy in developing countries with Dr Lara Lewington, University of Brighton
National electricity grids in developing countries cannot reach a lot of rural areas but, by generating a local renewable and resilient energy supply, communities can underpin their own economic development. Lara will talk about projects that generate sustainable renewable energy and enable people from local communities to run them as entrepreneurial businesses. She will also talk about volunteering with Engineers Without Borders UK, and her work with Rural Development organisations in India.
Currently working at the University of Brighton, Lara started her career with a vocational BTEC qualification in Mechanical, Electric and Electronic Engineering. Whilst studying, she worked as a Semiconductor Research Technician at Imperial College and as an Engineering Technician and Test Engineer. She then studied for a degree in Engineering Product Design at the University of Sussex.
Lara has been a consultant to the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, helping to introduce the Engineers Without Borders (EWB-UK) “Engineering for People” National Competition, helping to run the EWB Student Branches at both Sussex and Brighton Universities. She has also volunteered as a STEM Ambassador.
Over the last 10 years Lara has spent six months in India and Nepal , volunteering on engineering projects and speaking at engineering conferences, specifically engaging with development organisations that promote renewable energy and appropriate technologies, which fulfil both local development and educational needs.

Past Meetups (55)

What we're about

Brighton Café Scientifique is Science for the Sociable!

Informal talks of about 30-45 minutes are given by experts in the field, at a level accessible to all. After a break, the talk is followed by a question and answer session, and open discussion on the topic of the evening.

We meet on the second Wednesday of the month, at 7:30 for 8:00pm start at the Latest Music Bar, Manchester St, Brighton BN2 1TF. Meetings are free, although a collection is taken to contribute to the running expenses of the organisation.